Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #505479 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
The Battle of Verdun, which lasted from 21 February to 15 December 1916, was a turning point in the First World War and Fort Douaumont was the heart of the battle. Situated at 395 metres above sea level, Fort Douaumont was in 1914 the strongest and most modern of the forts around Verdun. It formed the keystone to the French defence around the city and its possession allowed for unrivalled observation over the whole sector. Using both French and German sources this book introduces the reader to the fortress system around Verdun, explains the construction, reinforcement and armament of the fort and describes its surprise capture by the Germans in February 1916. The terrible blow to French morale caused by the loss of the strategically important fort, their attempts to retake it and the conditions of life inside are portrayed in detail. As the months ground on and the Battle of Verdun turned into stalemate, the desire to keep or to recapture Fort Douaumont, whatever the cost, became the reason for both sides to go on fighting.

During their eight-month period of occupation, the Germans took steps to render the fort impregnable and following its successful recapture by the French in October 1916, further defensive work was undertaken that clearly foreshadowed the development of the Maginot Line forts with their machine rooms, workshops, deep tunnel systems and specialized personnel.

Customer Reviews

Douaumont, encapsulating the horrors of the First World War
Before visiting, I was under the impression Fort Douaumont was a land "dreadnought", a work of heroic proportions with massive guns and impregnable. It is not like that at all being rather small, modestly armed and offering inadequate protection or basic survival facilities (ventilation, water, latrines) for its garrison. There are not that many guns and the big one (155mm) was inefficient. The forts' prime role was as an observation point, one of many similar in the area that interlocked. It was decided such static defence points were vulnerable and by 1916 they had been de-gunned and given over to second tier troops. It was as a strong point for the infantry battle that it took on a crucial role.

Beyond that it was of overwhelming symbolic importance, hard for us to comprehend today. Located as the highest point in the Verdun sector it became a cornerstone of victory and the will to resist for which Germany and France were prepared to make immense human sacrifices. It is a place of bizarre comedy, how it initially fell into German hands then of the unbelievable savagery as tens of thousands of soldiers died trying to recapture it. Now for three Euros you can wander round the interior, sanitised and well lit, no smell of excrement, kerosene, cordite, cooking, blood, without the sound of shells smashing into it, machine guns and the screams of the wounded. If one place encapsulates the horrors of the First World War, then here it is.

Christina Holstein's book is a practical guide to the fort and the battle for it. She has also written "Walking Verdun", which is of less interest. There is nothing seminal in these, not detailed history just a contextual overview. Visiting the fort clearly adds to the book, I wound not have bought it otherwise. She provides four tours that are worth following, in particular the external and internal ones give a full explanation of the fort. It is economically written and well illustrated with contemporary photographs but the maps and plans are dismal. Sadly I have seen better in school project scrapbooks, in particular the internal plan (page 64/65) is abysmal and the present-day photographs are amateurish. A competent photographer with a wide-angle lens and high contrast black and white film is required as is a graphic designer / illustrator. A clearer - colour coded - plan is essential. Embarrassingly for the publisher, the Michelin Guide "Verdun - and the Battle for its Possession" published in 1919 has superior maps and better definition pictures. Some 90 years on with a basic PC / programme this should be better.

That said this is a helpful background book, an excellent orientation when visiting the fort. It should be read in conjunction with others, Alistair Horne "The Price of Glory, Verdun 1916" still being superb. I think I have now grasped the battle, its realities and horrors. If land were valued by blood spilled, then this small piece of France would be the most expensive soil in the world. Unlike the neat and manicured Somme (where the butcher's bill was actually higher) Verdun is a more intense experience with Douaumont - claustrophobic and compact - certainly interesting but equally disturbing.